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He told a party assembly that he was standing down, in part, due to the crucial referendum vote last year.

The vote on constitutional reform got a high turnout after 68 per cent of eligible voters went to the ballots.

At least 59.1 per cent of Italians voted against the proposed reforms, in a blow to Mr Renzi.

His resignation on Sunday triggered the process for a new congress - in which he might seek a fresh mandate.

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Former leader Pier Luigi Bersani was among those who announced the boycott

Mr Renzi came out fighting, saying that he would not let “the threat of a split from members of a significant left wing minority within the group blackmail him into backing down and not standing again”.

But his party is in disarray.

Tuscan Governor Enrico Rossi said that he had also considered quitting the group.

He was joined by Puglia Governor Michele Emiliano and Mr Speranzo who accused Mr Renzi of being the one to divide the party Italian newspaper Ansa said.

Following the referendum, former foreign minister Mr Gentiloni, a Democrat, became the new prime minister.

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Italy’s Democrat Party swims in chaos following the resignation of Matteo Renzi

Some of the dissidents may become loyal to Mr Gentiloni instead, said sources.

But there have been pleas for the party to come together.

Former premier Enrico Letta who was ousted by Renzi in 2014, wrote on his Facebook page: ”I look at the break-up of the PD (Democratic Party) with astonishment.

“I say to myself that it cannot finish like this. It must not finish like this. Today I don't have anything but my voice and I cannot do anything but use it to call for generosity and reasonableness".